Structure release system



April 14, 1970 .w. F. CARR 3,505,925

STRUCTURE RELEASE SYSTEM Filed OCl'.. 16, 1967 Arran/5% United States Patent O 3,505,925 STRUCTURE RELEASE SYSTEM William F. Carr, Santa Monica, Calif., assigner to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a corporation of Maryland Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 447,643, Apr. 13, 1965. This application Oct. 16, 1967, Ser.

Int. Cl. F16] 37/00 U.S. Cl. 89-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 447,643 for a non-contaminating thrusting separation system, filed Apr. 13, 1965, now Patent No. 3,362,290.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many occasions when two structures are made integral by a fastening device and a need arises for releasing the fastening device to permit separation of the structures. The release of externally mounted stores of cargo, auxiliary fuel tanks or warfare devices on aircraft, are examples. Another example may be found in the space age, in the separation of boosters, propulsion mechanisms, and other apparatus from a space craft as it travels in outer space.

In present separation systems it is common practice to retain the two structures together with rivets or bolts that are sheared by explosives when separation is desired. The sheared portions of the rivets and bolts are usually not retained and the explosive materials contaminate the adjacent area. Loose pieces, fragments, explosive sep-aration devices and products of combustion may affect the mission or capabilities of the payload, particularly if in a space craft having delicate instruments. In my copending patent application there is disclosed a non-contaminating thrusting separation system which contains such fragments and prevents the undesired contamination of the adjacent area. This system, however, applied shearing forces in the direction in which separation was desired and the explosive forces further actuated the separation of the structures after the severence of the retaining elements had occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one example of the present invention the non-contaminating separation force, such as is disclosed in my copending application, is applied in a direction normal to that of the path of separation of the structures for the purpose of disengaging a locking sector that has been placed in the plane of separation of the structures.

As assembly plug and shear pin or tab retains the locking sector in position across the plane of separation of the structures until the retention force of the tab is overcome by the actuation of the separation force. In this way, the forces unlocking the structures do not impart a separation force and the separation of the structures is completely dependent upon some other separation force independent of the release mechanism.

In one embodiment wherein the structures are cylindrical, annular lapped joints connect the structures. Aligned innermost and outermost chambers form a passageway in which the annular sector may circumferentially contract to be positioned partially into both chambers to prevent separation and expand completely into the outermost chamber to permit separation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a structure release system that does not apply separation forces to the structures being released.

Another object is the provision of a structure release system wherein release forces are applied in a direction normal to the path of separation of the structure.

Another object is the provision of a structure release system which protects the adjacent area from contamination from the releasing forces.

Other objects will become readily apparent as a description of the invention proceeds, now having reference to the drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing two cylindrical sections having been separated;

FIG. 2 is a sectional enlarged view showing the configuration of the lapped mating edges of the two structures;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structures in assembled position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the two sections mated and the structure release system installed;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how a plurality of locking sectors may be used on an arcuate structure;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the mated structures with a structure release system actuated to permit their separation; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the plurality of sectors used in the separation of arcuate structures after the release system has been actuated.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a top cylindrical structure l0 and a lower cylindrical structure 12 having the same inner and outer diameter and adapted to be mated in such manner that one becomes an extention of the other. Cylinder 12 has a top portion 14 having an inner top edge 16 and an outer recessed shoulder 18. Structure 1I] has a bottom 20 corresponding to and adapted to mate with the top edge 16 and recessed shoulder 18 of top 14. This construction forms a lap joint, as will become more apparent with reference to FIG. 2.

Upper structure 10 consists of a composite sandwich material having an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24 with a honeycomb core 26 positioned therebetween to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio structure. In the same manner, lower structure 12 has an inner surface material 28 and an outer surface material 30 with a honeycomb core 32, all bonded together to make a unitary integral structure.

Top 14 forms a mating lap joint having an inner leg 34, bonded to and extending from inner surface 28, and leg 36 extending from and bonded to outer surface 30. Leg 34 extends upwardly beyond leg 36 and terminates in the top edge 16 whereas leg 36 terminates in the recessed shoulder 18. Top edge 16 and shoulder 18 are each about half the thickness of the structure 12. Edge 16 and shoulder 18 are interconnected by the vertical surface 38. Annular innermost chamber 40 extends radially inwardly from this surface.

Within chamber 40 is positioned the release energy source 42 which is preferably of the type shown in my copending application. This source consists of a exible bellows 44 to contain all contaminants emitted from the separation energy source 46. Suitable baies are placed around the separation energy source to control shock and the tiow of gases into the bellows 44. The baffles consist primarily of a smaller tube 48 inside a larger tube 50 and these tubes contain gas metering and directing openings communicating with the bellows interior. Chamber 40 is of sufficient depth to contain the bellows energy source and baffles, and also to receive a portion of a locking sector 64, hereinafter to be described, to prevent the separation of the structures when assembled.

Top structure 1|) has a bottom 20 consisting of an inner leg 52 bonded to inner surface 22 and an outer leg 54 bonded to and extending from outer surface 24. Inner leg 52 terminates in shoulder 56 and outer leg 54 terminates in top edge 58. A vertical surface 60 interconnects shoulder 56 and top edge 58. Shoulder 56 of bottom 20 of structure is of the same width as the top edge 16 of top 14, and top edge 58 of bottom 20 of top structure 10 is of the same width as shoulder 18 of the mating joint 14 on bottom 12. In this manner surface 60 will abut surface 38 when the two structures are mated, as shown in FIG. 2. These surfaces form the plane of separation of the two structures.

Extending radially outwardly from surface 60 is an annular outermost chamber 62 having a sufficient depth to receive a locking sector 64 therein. This sector moves as a piston within chambers 62 and 40. The annular chamber 62 extends around the periphery of the structure 10, as does the annular chamber 40 extend about the periphery of structure 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the two chambers are in alignment when the structures 10 and 12 are mated in order to permit the locking sector 64 to move partially from chamber 62 into chamber 40. This `places the sector across the plane of separation to prevent separation of the two structures. Outwardly of chamber 62 is a plurality of apertures 66 into which will be mounted assembly plugs that may be used in moving locking sector 64 partially into chamber 40 to lock the structures 10 and 12 together.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which shows the locking sector 64 positioned partially into chamber 40 and partially into chamber 62. Bellows 44 is in its stored position and is collapsed against the bales around the energy source 46. Here is shown an assembly plug 68 threaded into the aperture 66 which communicates with chamber 62. This plug has an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to permit the insertion of plunger 70 for longitudinal movement therein. Plug 68 has a rupturable tab 72 over the outer end of the aperture against which plunger 70 is positioned. As the plug is threadedly inserted into the opening 66, plunger 70 urges locking sector 64 inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4.

Since locking sector 64 moves radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of a cylindrical container such as that shown in FIG. 1, an annular locking sector cannot be a unitary integral circular ring. The ring thus formed must expand and contract in circumference to accommodate its change in diameter. Accordingly, the

locking sector of the present invention consists of a plurality of arcuate sectors encircling the circular structure. A portion of these multiple sectors is shown in the plan view in FIG. 5. Here a plurality of arcuate sections 64 are held in spaced-apart relationship by compression springs 74 abutting their ends. Recesses are provided in the ends of the sectors to receive these compression springs. A plurality of plungers 70 are spaced circumferentially about structure 10 to move and retain the sectors 64 inwardly to form a ring of smaller circumference abutting against the collapsed diaphragm 44 of the energy source 46. The assembly plugs 68 are in position with their tabs 72 overlyong the ends of plungers 70 to maintain structures 10 and 12 in connected condition.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the relationship of parts after the structure release system has been actuated. The release energy source, such as that disclosed in my copending application, for example, has moved the locking sector 64 outwardly, out of the plane of separation, defined by abutting surfaces 38, 60 of the two structures. Plungers 70 are forced outwardly against tabs 72 which break or bend as the result of such force. The flexible diaphragm 44 retains the explosive contamination while permitting the expanding gases from the explosive charge to force the locking sector outwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The expansion of the compression springs 74 retain the sector in this expanded position where it is retained by structure 10 when structures 10 and l2 are separated.

Having thus described an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that other forms will readily appear to those skilled in the art and it is to be further understood that such deviations and modifications of the form just described are to be considered as part of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A structure release system comprising:

a pair of mating lapped joints, each fastened to structures to be jointed thereby;

said joints terminating in top edges and recessed shoulders connected by surfaces identifying a plane of separation in the direction of which said joints may be separated;

said joints having chambers therein extending along said surfaces in aligned communication on opposed sides of said plane, one of said chambers being of sufcient depth to receive a locking sector therein;

a locking sector within and slidably movable from said one of said chambers at least partially into the other of said chambers and in a position to lie across said plane of separation;

means in said other chamber for moving said locking sector out of said plane of separation and completely into said one chamber to permit separation of said structures in the direction of said surfaces;

said positioning means releasably retaining said locking sector partially in both said chambers and across said plane of separation;

said positioning means comprising a plurality of inwardly directed plungers extending exteriorly of said one of said chambers and having frangible tabs over the outer ends of said plungers for restricting outward movement thereof.

2. A structure release system as in claim 1 wherein said joints are circular for joining structures having a cylindrical mating configuration, said surfaces are cylindrical, and wherein said chambers are annular, abutting and aligned to define an innermost chamber and an outermost chamber, said chambers forming a radially extending passage therebetween for receiving a locking sector adapted for radial movement within said chambers.

3. A structure release system as in claim 2, and a circumferentially expanding and contracting locking sector adapted to contract for positioning across said surfaces and partially into cach chamber,

5 6 said locking sector also adapted to expand for movesaid sector moving means is an annular gas generating ment completely into said outermost chamber. source mounted within said innermost chamber, and 4. A structure release system as in claim 3, a bellows within said innermost chamber for containsaid plurality of plungers being circumferentially spaced 111g faPldlY CXPaUdllg gases and thelr S0l1r Ce about and positioned within said outermost chamber, 5

said plungers releasably retaining said locking sector References cned in its contracted position across said surfaces. UNITED STATES PATENTS 5, A structure release system as in claim 4 wherein 3,119,298 1/1964 Brown 89-1 X franglble tabs over the outer ends of said plungers to re 10 3,200,706 8/1965 Kinard 89 1 5 leasably retain said plungers against said locking sector, said tabs being exposed to visual inspection outwardly SAMUEL W. ENGLEPl-imary Examiner of said outermost chamber to indicate the position of said locking sector. U.S. C1. X.R.

6. A structure release system as in claim 2, wherein 15 1oz-495; 285. 3 

